Page 71 of Crossing Quinn

Quinn added, “A transporter was also activated, sir.”

“Copy.” The general pushed several icons on his console. “Take the life pods out, Henderson. And track that transporter signal.”

“Yes, sir.” Sergeant Henderson’s fingers flew over his console. “Pods destroyed. I lost the transporter signal outside Bakersfield, California, sir. I’m notifying General Conway at Camp Pendleton.”

I frowned. “What’s so special about Bakersfield?”

“Good question,” Quinn replied.

Sergeant Henderson announced cheerfully, “Zarek’s battle fleet has destroyed the fleeing Tai-Kok vessels.”

I sagged in utter relief. Our plan had worked. The battle for Earth had lasted less than thirty minutes, and none of the Tai-Kok ships had survived.

Quinn hooted and punched the air with a victorious fist.

The general’s smile was one of utter satisfaction as he pounded Quinn on the back. “Well done. Using those bugs was a stroke of genius.”

“Xenia and Lysis deserve all the credit. They were the ones who came up with the idea to turn the var bugs into a weapon.”

The general beamed at me. “Ever think of joining the military? I need more warriors like you and your father.”

“Sorry, the Overlord claimed us first.”

“He always gets the good ones.”

Sergeant Henderson advised, “Incoming message, sir.”

“Main view screen, sergeant,” the general instructed.

Zarek’s smiling face appeared on the view screen. “The Tai-Kok home world no longer exists. Qa’a personally captured Lodjal, the Tai-Kok emperor, and will obtain the locations of all the planets they have claimed, their bases, and the names of their allies. The galaxy will soon be free of the murderous Tai-Kok.”

Cheers, hoots, and clapping erupted. Champagne bottles appeared like magic. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Gushing fountains of the pale gold liquid were poured into a variety of cups. Jubilant soldiers toasted one another and exchanged hugs of joy.

An ecstatic Quinn spun me in a circle. “We did it! We did it! Earth is safe.”

The galaxy wouldn’t be safe until we found the Shebu, but I didn’t want to destroy his happiness at Komodo’s defeat. “Pucker up, lovey.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him.

I even got in a little tongue action before Zarek growled in my head, “What are you doing?”

“Celebrating.”

“This form of celebrating is not allowed,”Zarek retorted.

“Yes, my lord,”we said in unison. Quinn grabbed two glasses of champagne and handed me one. “To victory.”

I raised my glass. “To victory.”

Workers brought in the food that Zarek had shipped to Central Command and a wide assortment of hoarded liquor. Sergeant Henderson punched a button on his console. Thirty seconds later, a thumping beat sounded from the speakers, and a voice sang, “We are the Champions.”

One hell of a party got started.

---